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Bored, but not frustrated

Manchester City were hosting Liverpool FC on Sunday afternoon and both teams didn’t concede each other any chances to score. The match ended with the same result as it started: City 0 – Liverpool 0.

Before the match there was so much said how important it is, how important it is to win against each other, how important it is not to lose against each other etc, etc. Everyone had something to say on the game.

But as the teams finally stood against each other on the pitch, there wasn’t much to said about it at all. Neither Manchaster City, nor Liverpool shown us some real action or an expected battle for this “important win.” Both teams were just sampling each other without having the desire to attack the rival and to, possibly, slip-up. Well, matches like this aren’t new.

For sure, the most notable element in the atmosphere was fear, both teams seemingly terrified of making a mistake.The sleepiness on the pitch lasted until Pepe Reina got down low to his right to make a save from Emmanuel Adebayor in the 61st minute was either goalkeeper called into meaningful action, a terrible indictment of a match that had been eagerly awaited all over the world. Nothing more really happened. Though, Liverpool had to pay a high price for this 0:0 draw – five bookings which weren’t really necessary. Well, they never aren’t, are they?

One in all this was an afternoon to forget, and Roberto Mancini and Rafael Benítez may end up looking back on it at the end of the season as a missed opportunity. Manchester City lacked quality, Liverpool ambition, with both teams bereft of bite.

If there was excellence at all, it lay in the sort of recovery tackle that Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel pulled off when Emmanuel Adebayor seemed to be clear on goal with 10 minutes left. Benítez will be content, too, that Fernando Torres showed he is restored following his knee surgery. Impact, all the same, would have to wait. We can also be happy having Yossi Benayoun back, we do miss his creativity in the game although there wasn’t much of it to see in this particular game.

“We were strong, we were competitive and have two important players back,” said Rafael Benitez after the match.

Both managers were happy enough with the outcome. It’s just a pity that the public doesn’t really got something to look at. There’s nothing more to add. Job done, one point in the pocket, clean sheet, no injuries. It could be worse, couldn’t it`?

Amanda, we are playing for the final CL place and frankly playing for a draw when we are, on paper, the outsiders of the bunch (based on current league position, games played, current points tally)is not going to get us there. This is LFC for goodness sake. Rafa needs to book himself onto a course of attacking football tactics or take up chess instead. Some of you guys must have crystal balls but I know I’m not overly confident of getting it at the moment. We’ve rushed 2 players back onto the pitch as well which fore a manager who is so cagey in a lot of areas this seemed an unnecessary risk. Is Pacheco injured or something?? We are running out of games for any nonsense, Rafa!

Tim, shall I sit down and cry then? I know that everything but can’t change it, can I? We’re running out of games, time and chances. I know that. Everyone knows that. But no-one knows what’s in Rafa’s had or what’s going on behind the closed dores. With all respect, but WE CAN NOT CHNGE THE RESULT. We just have to take it as it is.

I actually fell asleep watching yesterday’s game!! Man was it frustrating – don’t understand the reluctance to cross the ball or shoot – is that not how chances are created? We don’t seem to have any problems getting the ball to the opposition’s area but then for some reason we seem to forget what to do?

As much as I am delighted to see Torres and Yossi back, it does worry be that both have been rushed back. At the end of the game Yossi seemed to be in a little discomfort – hope this isn’t another injury.

Anyway, I guess we weren’t defeated and a point away from home isn’t the worst result. That said, we do need to be much more creative and turn draws into victories – Rafa, get more attacking or finish 5th

Glad to see the return of Torres but think it’s rushed he still needs surgery and with him going for Spain as well I’m not overly optimistic for his return next year fit after the world cup. It was quite frustrating yesterday but a point against Man city should be deemed as a half decent result. Bit rafa can’t win here were all out attacking and we moan, were not utilizing our defence and we moan. Let him get the squad back to full strength and hopefully we can play a hell of a lot better